Why Home Buyers are Drawn to Nocatee

Realtor.com recently declared Nocatee the second best selling community in America, based on construction booms, rising population and home appreciation. Indeed, the town has seen exponential growth since its 2001 approval as a Development of Regional Impact.

Nocatee had fewer than 5,000 residents in 2014. According to datausa.com, that number went up to 7,306 in 2015, and then in 2016, it rose to 9,836. The U.S. Census estimated the 2017 population at 11,634.

The PARC Group, the project's developers, reported 68 home sales in 2009 when 11 builders offered properties in seven neighborhoods. By 2018, there were 20 builders in 30 communities, averaging 1,000 sales annually for four consecutive years.

The mixed-use development spreads across roughly 25 square miles in Ponte Vedra, with 60 percent of the land set aside for natural preservation. Not only must the designers integrate human habitats with lush greenery, but builders must deploy their contractors judiciously.

Incorporating smart-growth practices brought forth an ideal place to cultivate business, a family, and a community. Nearly 4,000 households occupy homes ranging in price from the low 200s to $1 million or more. There are properties suited to any lifestyle, from young families to retirees, on streets designed for optimal traffic flow, flanked by wide sidewalks and bright streetlights. All are within easy reach of commercial, social and recreational activities.

What The People Want
The National Association of Realtors® 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is the result of a survey of people in various regions of the U.S. who bought new homes between July 2017 and June 2018. Of the 7,000 or so respondents, 62% chose to live in a suburb or subdivision: 22% were drawn to the kinds of amenities typical of new build communities. Nocatee does not disappoint in this respect.

Convenience to work is a significant factor in many home purchases and Nocatee is a quick, easy commute to both Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Not surprisingly, married couples with children favor single family homes close to schools. Nocatee straddles the St Johns and Duval county line, so both award-winning county school districts serve the students here, depending on their neighborhood.

Walkability is high on the priority list for many homebuyers. The Nocatee Town Center, while not geographically centered, is a pedestrian friendly business complex that blends office space, shops, salons, restaurants and a wide variety of healthcare and personal services for both people and pets. It also puts residents of the adjacent neighborhoods within walking distance of swimming pools and nature trails.

Construction is set to begin on an expansion that will add 40,000 square feet of retail space anchored by GreenWise market, scheduled to open in early 2020. Shoppers have their own dedicated parking spots for their golf carts throughout the Town Center.

A Coastal Town Build for Water Lovers
Nocatee has options aplenty for dipping, swimming, boating and fishing. Spray Park opened in early March of 2019. Its main attraction is an above ground interactive spray playground that provides four stories of climbing, sliding and water play. A nearby event field hosts drive-in (golf cart) movie nights, farmers markets, concerts and other activities.

Northeast Florida's highest water slide tower resides at Splash Water Park, as does a 377 foot zip line. Swimmers and waders of all ages have their choice of pools and water features. My personal favorites is floating along the lazy river while listening to the water and music in the park. There's a playground for young children, a beach volleyball court and generous seating and deck space for get-togethers.

An eight lane pool for junior Olympic competitions is the center of the Nocatee Swim Club. Surrounding it is the Swim Club Green, where folks can play pickleball, volleyball or half court basketball.

Crosswater Park, which is under construction and scheduled to open in 2020, will include a swimming pool with lap lanes.

Residents can go fishing in their choice of Nocatee's four stocked ponds or go to one of the recreational marinas between Jacksonville and St Augustine for some coastal offshore action. Boaters and kayakers can set out in their non-motorized watercraft at the Kayak Launch, and construction is almost complete at the Nocatee Landing at the southern trailhead of Nocatee Preserve, a 2,400 acre conservation area that runs along the Tolomato River.

In addition to abundant water recreation, Nocatee is the first planned community in northeast Florida to proved wood paved paths for electric vehicles, which someday will connect all of the town's neighborhoods. Other outdoor areas provide dog parks, playgrounds, and picnic shelters as well as miles of trails for joggers, cyclists and nature lovers.

A Great Place to Settle Down
With so much to do (and access to great schools, jobs and of course shopping), it's no wonder Nocatee is one of the nations most in-demand housing markets. If you're considering a move to or from Nocatee, give our office a call at 904.501.9037.

Tara Belanger is a licensed Real Estate Agent with Re/Max Unlimited and a Nocatee Certified Agent. Tara is a top-rated agent and a leading expert on local market trends. She publishes her work across multiple newsletters and publications in Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, A portion of every closing by Tara Belanger benefits the Kids In Need Foundation. Visit www.TaraSupportsKINF.com for more information on KINF.

Tara Belanger REALTOR®

Re/Max Unlimited

904.501.9037

Tara@NortheastFLLiving.com

www.NortheastFLLiving.com

www.TaraSupportsKINF.com

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